Spatiotemporal vitrimerization of a thermosetting polymer using a photo-latent catalyst for transesterification. Issue 12 (7th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Park, Jinyoung; Song, Hyeong Yong; Choi, Subi; Ahn, Suk-kyun; Hyun, Kyu; Kim, Chae Bin
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 10:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: 6475
• Page End: 6480
• Publication Date: 2022-03-07
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d1ta10841g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : Spatiotemporal conversion from a thermoset to a processable vitrimer was achieved by incorporating a photo-active catalyst into an otherwise thermoset, activating network exchanges only after light exposure and subsequent heating. Abstract : Globally rising environmental concerns have increased the demand for recyclable polymers and efficient recycling practices. The lack of melt-processability of thermosets significantly limits their recycling because the simplest and most economical way to recycle polymers with a minimum carbon footprint is repairing or re-melting them into new items. To this end, an approach to spatiotemporally converting a thermoset into a processable vitrimer is presented. This was achieved by incorporating a latent, heat-stable photo-active catalyst into an otherwise thermoset, activating network exchange reactions only after light exposure and subsequent heating. The thermoset film could be repaired and/or heat-processed by simply exposing the sample to light followed by annealing at elevated temperature and pressure, whereas the repairing/heat-processing failed in the absence of the light exposure step. This approach enables the polymer to initially behave as a thermoset at all temperatures until it requires repair or heat-processing.